The Lexington Ledger

“Whadya say, buddy?” are the words Randy Spires often uttered when he answered the phone to the many people he talked to every day.

 

The man loved to talk to anyone who would listen. He loved to build relationships and counted hundreds, if not thousands, as friends. He loved to tell the same old stories over and over: the boys fishing trips to Canada and Lake Okeechobee, and trips to the Masters every year.

 

His family warmly remembers being on a trip to Ireland in 2016. They were visiting the Cliffs of Moher, a breathtakingly beautiful cliffside on the west coast of Ireland. After a while, Randy was nowhere to be found. He couldn’t have cared less about this once in a lifetime chance to see a world wonder. Instead, he was found chatting with an Irish bus driver for hours. He made a friend everywhere he went.

 

Randy loved to shoot the bull. He held regular breakfast and lunch meetings with his crew for years. He loved hosting family and lifelong friends at his famous building back home in West Columbia. He loved making Beaufort stew, hosting fish fries, and all things local high school football, including being on the sidelines with his coaching buddies. Randy loved the South Carolina Gamecocks - especially women’s basketball.

 

William Randolph Spires was born September 16, 1956, to Homer and Betty Spires of West Columbia, S.C. Randy loved playing baseball as a kid. He took great pride in being a part of the Dixie Youth Little League All Stars team and played in the state tournament in 1969. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1975. He was quick to frequently remind his family that he was voted “best dressed” in high school, especially when he wore his famous overalls.

 

Randy graduated from Midlands Technical College and worked for his dad as a brick mason. He later went to work for Southeastern Concrete Products as a salesman until his retirement in 2018.

 

Randy met his wife, Karen, in 1979 at West Columbia Church of God. He often told the story about how he first saw her while she was playing piano during the service. After church, they struck up a conversation. While driving behind her on the way home, he noticed her taillight was out. Randy flagged her down to tell her, followed her to the Dunkin’ Donuts by her apartment and the rest is history.

 

The couple married in 1980, settled in West Columbia, S.C. and had two girls, Whitney and Meredith. Whitney married Brad Davis and together they have five children: Carmen, Evelyn, Sullivan, Ellington and Deacon. Carmen is married to Dalton Judkins. Meredith married Will Huggins and they have one son, Finnegan. Randy loved being Gramps to his six grandchildren. Randy left his beloved hometown in 2018 and moved to Oklahoma City to be closer to his family and watch his grandkids grow up.

 

In the last year and a half, Randy could be found “Ubering” for his grandkids or taking them to the neighborhood pool. Gramps oversaw daily wagon rides, Pre-K and bus stop pickup and afterschool trips to McDonald’s or Braum’s.

 

Randy was a provider, helper, mentor, confidant, friend to pastors and a friend to so many. Over the years, he served his community as part of the Red Bank Elementary PTA and treasurer of the Masonry Contractor’s Association. He organized many scholarship golf tournaments at Charwood Golf Club.

 

A man of great faith, Randy served in leadership roles at the churches he attended throughout his life. He loved The Gaither Vocal Band and southern gospel, the music his grandchildren have affectionately named “Gramps’ country Christian music.”

 

That was the same music that filled his hospital room for five weeks as he bravely fought COVID-19.

 

William Randolph Spires, age 63, passed away on May 4, 2020 in Oklahoma City.

 

Randy is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren as well as his brother, Lanny, and wife, Bernice Spires, and his sister, Betsy, and husband Sammy Koon. He adored and cared for his very special aunt, Gerene Wingard.

 

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Betty Spires and niece, Courtney Koon.

 

Randy’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to his care team at Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City for their compassionate care and heroic efforts.

 

Considering the rising cases of COVID-19 currently, it is important to the family to gather responsibly. A private family burial will be held at Woodridge Memorial Park this weekend. In addition, a private memorial service will be streamed online for extended family and friends to join and honor Randy’s life. That LIVE STREAM can be seen on the Life Springs Worship Center FB page.

 

Randy loved and supported Lexington County Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) for decades. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made in his honor to FCA. Donations can be mailed to Lexington County FCA, 104 Red Alder Ct. Lexington, S.C. 29072 or made via Randy’s longtime FCA friend, Frank Hester, online here: https://my.fca.org/randyspiresmemorial